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A/SHHS 12B English Literature > The Flea > Flashcards

Flashcards in The Flea Deck (12)
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1
Q

what literary movement was donne a part of?

A

metaphysical

lived 1572 - 1631

2
Q

any relevant context for the poem? (metaphysical poets, roles of male and females within society)

A
  • metaphysical poets explored physical desire as a reaction against strict puritanical ideals
  • male infidelity accepted (sexuality seen as masculine). women censured for having affairs
  • masculinity obtained by asserting sexual dominance
  • female honour and reputation central
3
Q

different themes to gatsby

A
  • sexual frustration (no attraction to D)
  • donne depicting female sexuality in a positive light despite contextual restriction (speaker doesn’t demean woman); fitz. presents M’s love for wealth and sexuality as negative, causing death
4
Q

key quotes and methods

A
  • ovidian flea conceit
  • ribald erotic references
  • theatrical melaframatic voice of typical (courtier)? pls help
  • more caesura in 2nd stanza, slows down pace = more time for woman to consider argument (seeds of doubt/temptation)
5
Q

shared themes w gatsby

A
  • lack of true love
  • ignoring female desire, focus on male experience
  • challenges contemporary conventions about female chastity and sex -> D, M, T
6
Q

shared themes with other poems

A

male experience

- the scrutiny

7
Q

any relevant context for Gatsby?

A
  • ## flapper trend. women more independent, challenging social restriction and society’s expectations: wore trousers, ankles shown in public
8
Q

relevant methods and quotes from gatsby?

A
  • depiction of M
  • depiction of T and his affairs (male infidelity)
  • parallels btwn T and M active in relationship, W and D passive. M subverts gender norms
9
Q

why is there a connection beween sex and death throughout the poem?

A
  • ribald love poetry popular in 16th century (‘die’ and ‘kill’ terms for orgasm. intercourse believed to shorten male lifespan)
10
Q

what is the rhyme scheme and how does this emphasise the futility of the speaker’s effort to ‘kanoodle’ with the woman

A

alternating iambic pentameter and tetrameter except last lines which are only tetrameter (“me” and “thee”)
- the only way they will be united is through the poem, not real life

11
Q

connection between ovid and donnes poem

A

ovidian flea conceit used by donne

  • belongs to genre where lover describes animal able to explore mistress’ body unlike him.
  • evokes the immediacy of ovid’s poem - frustrated lust
12
Q

quotes for societal restrictions on sex

A

“two bloods mingled be”, “it woos before it swells”

  • presents sex as bodily funtion
  • removes societal stigma from sex
  • mocks societal requirement for courtship before sex